Christmas (If Baby Jesus was a Premie)

As you may or may not know, I cannot keep a secret. And, I'm a planner so I usually get people gifts way before the gift giving occasion. So, people usually end up knowing and/or receiving their gifts early because I just can't help myself.

We got mom a 32" TV for her birthday/ Christmas present. See how thin it is! Her birthday is the Friday after Thanksgiving. Although we got her the TV, she bestows her deepest appreciation on M who put the thing together (we didn't even open the box). Can you imagine, the DVD player, cable, Wii and XBox 360 are all plugged into the TV and we don't have to reach behind to plug and unplug things. Amazing!

M also took Mom to Woodbury Commons today where she bought 2 bags. M got 7 sweaters - 6 of which are argyle. And I temporarily lifted the shopping embargo to get 3 dresses from Barney's. I was doing was doing so well - I didn't buy a thing from JCrew. But, I got to Barney's and they were taking an additional 25% off sale items and the dresses were made out of 100% silk and 100% wool respectively. You can't get those gorgeous fabrics for that cheap anywhere. When we got home, Mom ran upstairs and brought down a Swiss Army knife for M. "Merry Christmas, M," she said (Mom hasn't gotten her children a Christmas present since the early 1990's).

The keys to mom's heart are to (1) take her to Woodbury Commons, (2) fix electronic/ technological problems, (3) do whatever she says (i.e., risk life changing light bulb). Today Mom asked M if she was coming for Christmas and then remembered that M is going to spend it in Orlando with her mother and brother. Mom then said, "I'm gonna miss you." For me, that was the greatest Christmas gift from Mom ever.

Mom also said that I was good at cleaning and that I should clean M's toilets.

Another nice thing was that M's mom asked if I would be coming to Orlando for Christmas. Very sweet.

Saturday with the Fam

I have been looking forward to this day for the longest time. I would get delirious in anticipation. Finally, the day came and by god, it was a gorgeous day. It was Woodbury Commons day with Mom (who had gone without me recently - the nerve!).

The other great thing about a casual weekend is my sweatsuit and no make-up! I paired my svets (Doris and I've been saying it this way ever since Nacho Libre) with a flourescent pink down vest, my little Prada messenger bag and a half-ponytail. Now, not only are the svets comfy, they are easy to take on and off, along with my slip-on Pumas. Please note, my shopping friends, that when you are on a serious shopping trip, wear good underwear and a bra so you can see how clothes will really look.
We went NUTS. We got the VIP Coupon Book. Stores were slashing the outlet prices by 40%. I made out like a bandit at J. Crew because I got another 15% from my student ID. Aw, yeah! I got some really great things at Barneys, a ton of stuff for M and drooled at Burberry. There's something about the preppy British meets punk. I loved every single one of their coats. See, the British have bad weather. They know about coats.

Mom bought 10 plates. Note, do not buy heavy things. Or, if you do, bring a wheelie luggage. Oh, and I got sick from eating lunch there. Augh. It was Japanese food - there couldn't have been any dairy....why?!
We were 30 minutes late to meet my brother for dinner. Here's a picture I snapped of the sunset from the NJ Turnpike.

Mom wanted Vietnamese food and P took us to his favorite place. They know him and he introduced us to the owner. They got Pho and I stole two cups of broth from mom. It was so good. I got one of my favorites - bo luc lac, otherwise known as Vietnamese Shaking Beef. Fantastic!

We did some grocery shopping and dropped P off. We would've stayed and played Rock Band II which has (Living on a Prayer!) but I was BEAT!